Our monthly Spotlight e-newsletter shares organizational news, upcoming events
and programmatic highlights.
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As Southwest Florida welcomes cooler temperatures, we warmly welcome our seasonal
friends returning for another season in paradise. Your generous support plays an
important role in helping St. Matthew’s House continue transforming lives throughout
our community.
This month also marks a special milestone as we celebrate
Ben Bridges’ first full year as President & CEO of St. Matthew’s House.
Over the past year, under his leadership, we’ve continued our mission of changing
lives in a meaningful way. Ben reflected on the year, and shared his thoughts:
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“My first year as CEO has only deepened my gratitude for this extraordinary
community and my belief in the future of our mission. Because of the
generosity and partnership of our most faithful supporters, coupled with the
steadfast commitment of our incredible team, we have the opportunity to help
more people move from crisis toward stability, purpose, and hope. I truly
believe some of our most impactful days are still ahead.”
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As we head into one of our busiest times of the year, we need your help. We
recently launched our new volunteer management system through VOMO, which
allows volunteers to create a profile, track hours through a volunteer
“resume,” and easily sign up for opportunities. More than 200 of our 600
volunteers have already migrated and created new accounts. Learn more through
our
Volunteer Guide
, and if you have questions about the new system, please contact
volunteer@stmatthewshouse.org
.
Whether you’re a longtime volunteer or looking to get involved for the first
time, we invite you to join us in one of our core volunteer roles, including:
- Food Warehouse & Pantry Help
- Shelter Child Care
- Shelter Meal Service & Hospitality
- Outdoor Outreach Meals
- Vocational Training Coaches
Looking ahead, we invite you to join us for the 50th Justin’s Place Recovery
Program’s graduation on November 12. This powerful milestone commemorates the
men and women who have worked hard over the past 12 months to achieve lasting
recovery. We’re also happy to announce that Lulu’s Kitchen will officially
reopen on November 16 with a refreshed interior and delicious new menu
offerings. And as Thanksgiving approaches, St. Matthew’s House will once again
serve hot, free holiday meals to anyone in need. If you know someone who could
benefit from a warm meal and caring community, please help spread the word.
Thank you for being part of the St. Matthew’s House family. Together, we’re
making a lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors every day.
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St. Matthew’s House prep cook on a mission to help others with disabilities
in Fort Myers
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At the St. Matthew’s House Women’s Shelter in Fort Myers, Fre’daysha Ladson is
prepping for lunch. Her work as a prep cook isn’t just about her dream to be a
chef; it’s about overcoming any seed of doubt in her mind.
“I feel like I can make an impact on people’s lives that have a disability,”
Fre’daysha said.
After struggling with anxiety and a learning disability of her own, Fre’daysha
dreams of giving opportunities to others with disabilities one day.
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The St. Matthew’s House 1-3-5 Approach
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Whether it’s food, hygiene items or bulky household appliances, these in-kind
donations are an essential part of our programs because they help meet the immediate
needs of people in the community.
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Our next event to mark on your calendars is our
50
th
Justin’s Place Recovery Program Graduation
on November 12! You do not want to miss this evening of celebration and
transformation.
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Shelter Meal Service & Hospitality |
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This month we’re highlighting shelter meal service at our Campbell Lodge
shelter in Naples. This volunteer opportunity is reserved for groups of 4-6
people. Together, you help create a meaningful mealtime that fosters dignity,
respect, and a sense of community. If you’d like to form a group and are
interested in serving, please get in touch with our team at
volunteer@stmatthewshouse.org.
Pictured here is a group from St. John’s Episcopal Church one of our longest
serving church partners who come out five times a month to serve meals!
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Discover hidden treasures and support a local cause at St. Matthew’s House
Thrift.
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Our upscale stores offer an array of name-brand clothing, shoes, furniture,
jewelry, housewares, and more at discounted prices!
We have five stores across Naples and Fort Myers with unique offerings at
each.
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The Thrift Stores are part of the unique St. Matthew’s House social
enterprise ministry model. This innovative model allows St. Matthew’s
House to provide vocational training and earn revenue to offset the
organization’s overhead costs.
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